Standard Issue Rookie Thread

[kopeck]

So I did it, I opened up the hive for the first time!  Didn't get stung, in fact the bees where very well behaved, I did suit up though.  I might have smoked them a bit more then I needed too but I'm sure I'll find the right balance with time.

Anyway now I have couple of questions.  First off how do you clean the the "bee glue" off the edges of the frames with out hurting the bees?  Leave them in the deep and do your best?  I don't see how I can do it with the frame out of the hive since they seem to like to hang on the bottom.

Also how much bee space is needed between the inner cover and the top on the frames?  My inner cover can either be flush (like 1/8 of an inch of space) of if I flip is over there like an 1/4 inch plus.  The lady I bought my bees from put it on the way with more space but the bees filled all that space with burr comb that I cleaned up.  I was tempted to put it on the flush way since that's the way my grandfather did it but I figured I would be cautious and stick to the more space configuration.

They almost needed a second deep.  They had 6 (5 full, and 2 halfs) drawn.  This is from a Nuc so they had a nice head start.  I'm sure if I wait until next weekend they will be more then ready.

Thanks,

K

[doak]

I don't bother with the glue during inspection except if it gets in the way. On the ends and around the edge where the boxes come together I may scrape some off. when I am getting the frames ready for next yr. I give them a good going over. The glue they put on the edge of the end bar,"if there was a little space left", I leave it on so the frame will fit back where it was.
Thats my way.
doak

[Michael Bush]

>First off how do you clean the the "bee glue" off the edges of the frames with out hurting the bees?

If it's in your way, scrape it off with the hive tool.  If not, leave it.
http://www.bushfarms.com/beeslazy.htm#stopscrapingpropolis
http://www.bushfarms.com/beeslazy.htm#leaveburr

>Also how much bee space is needed between the inner cover and the top on the frames?

Between 1/4" and 3/8" is best.

> My inner cover can either be flush (like 1/8 of an inch of space) of if I flip is over there like an 1/4 inch plus.

Usually flush is 1/4" and flipped over is usually 1/2" or so.

>The lady I bought my bees from put it on the way with more space but the bees filled all that space with burr comb that I cleaned up.

Probably both come out wrong as frames ends are often over spec so the space ends up more like 3/16" with it flat and 1/2" with the space.  Neither is right.

> I was tempted to put it on the flush way since that's the way my grandfather did it but I figured I would be cautious and stick to the more space configuration.

It squishes less bees.  :)

[kopeck]

> I was tempted to put it on the flush way since that's the way my grandfather did it but I figured I would be cautious and stick to the more space configuration.

It squishes less bees.  :)

Less squished bees are are a good thing in my book!  I'll leave it the way it is. I may prop up the telescoping cover a hair to help with the ventilation.

K

[Michael Bush]

>I may prop up the telescoping cover a hair to help with the ventilation.

If you prop it up, then put the flat side down to have less bee space problem.

[kopeck]

>I may prop up the telescoping cover a hair to help with the ventilation.

If you prop it up, then put the flat side down to have less bee space problem.

I'll look into it.

And while I have your attention...  ;)

I was moving a bunch of my grandfathers stuff, mostly deeps, a few days ago and noticed that the space between the top bar and the top of the box varied from box to box.  Different frames, different boxes (some home made, some commercial).

Looks like this sort of thing isn't all that uncommon.

Thanks,

K